Friday evening (Oct 4) was not too cold for the time of year. Des was visiting a grandchild so wasn’t at the street meet. Instead Mark, Jonathan, Matt, Angela. Quite a long talk. Bin still not emptied and nor was Matt’s. Watched documentary about sinking of superyacht. Needless to say this was linked to climate change.
Saturday was sunny and warm, becoming cooler later. Day of the cake and compline trail. Dot and I walked to Eleanor’s, where we all had a cup of tea and a biscuit, plus a bit of a chat. Left just after 11am and took them all to the start, paired up: David and Dot; Judy and Claire; Bridget and Eleanor; Phil and Vicky. I went back and forward, giving encouragement and assistance. Dot left about 11.40 to go to the football, where City beat Hull 4-0. Glad she went – I had to encourage her to.
Proceeded with trail. Several people went badly astray in the middle, but we all eventually got to the Assembly House, where I gave the results. Most of them got most of the clues. We all walked back to Harriet’s in London Street, which Bridget had booked. I had a breakfast and some Darjeeling. We shared the room after about half an hour with some nurses celebrating someone’s retirement. Quite loudly.
Walked home through crowds emerging from match. Dot already there. Had a rest while Dot went to shop and then cooked salmon. Watched two of three episodes of Reginald Perrin and a documentary on Wild Arabia (third episode). Also a bit of football. Steps exceeded 10,000 for day. Wore Christmas socks Chrissy bought me a while ago, and they helped my feet quite a lot! Meanwhile Oliver is in Boston, Mass.
Sunday was mostly dry but cooler, especially in church! Rain towards evening, but not too heavy. Drove to church in morning. Played guitar: Phil led and Anna did lectio: Dot led prayers. We gave Ray a lift home, and Angel Road was open – at last. Had a fairly quick lunch and then picked Kim up to take her to Blofield for concert by St Gregory’s Orchestra, conducted by Martin Wyatt.
Spoke to Barbara and David Pilch. Excellent performance, including a madrigal sung by orchestra and a piece conducted by one of the violinists. But highlight was Bruch violin concerto with young local soloist, Dylan Latham, who was superb. So was orchestra. Outstanding refreshments at interval. After dropping Kim home we didn’t need full meal. Watched three episodes of drama Joan and one of a thriller we have been following. Also a bit of football: Spurs threw away game against Brighton. David FaceTimed. He seems well. Oliver is in Boston, visiting Harvard, among other places. Apparently he prefers Boston to SF. Just managed 4000 steps.
Monday – Mainly sunny and seeming warmer, but perhaps that’s because I had too many clothes on when I walked up to the dentist for a “review”. Appointment less than ten minutes, including an x-ray, and either free or someone forgot to ask me to pay. Called at St Julian on the way back. Very still. Oliver flying to New York today. Tired after my walk; so lay down for a while after watching the rest of last night’s football. Dot practised violin, then walked to shop. Later watched the last three episodes of Irving Welch Crime series, which was quite good but a little contrived. When we went to bed looked at where Oliver was on Google Earth: 44th Avenue on Long Island. He gets around.
Yesterday was showery, but still reasonably mild. In the morning I walked up to post a birthday card to Birgit. Afterwards Dot drove up to Hellesdon to visit Joyce: she seemed to be making good progress. Meanwhile, I had a bath. Dot did quite a lot of household cleaning, plus violin practice, and I caught up with stuff. We both watched a fair bit of TV , including the drama Joan, a bit of cricket highlights and a film, Strangers on a Train, which was excellent. Also another, quite long, episode of The Chosen. Had a bit of trouble getting it on screen from Dot’s phone, but eventually managed it from mine.
Today was overcast, not too cold, except in the church hall, and with occasional rain. Judy came round to see the last episode of Series 3 of The Chosen, and I left early to get to church, carrying a curtain, neatly ironed, which Dot was giving to Steven. Met Steven at church hall door and we returned to the car to transfer the curtain to his house (I was parked more or less outside). Met Dot and Judy as we were doing so.
Had quite a good Bible study session on Acts 5 (mainly). Present were Debbie, Phoebe, Steven, Dot and me. Dot stayed for Taizé and on her way home called in at a jeweller’s on Magdalen Street to pick up Joyce’s watch, which had been left for repair. I watched a couple of programmes (or part), during which I had fallen asleep when we first watched them! Cooked chilli, and Dot was picked up by Janet for orchestra rehearsal. Cleared up and attempted to tidy room. It is Fred’s 80th birthday. I guess I was being conceived just before he was being born. Oliver is still in New York.